HESTER, CHARGERS AGREE TO ONE-YEAR CONTRACT

OT Henderson also signs one-year deal

CHICAGO - AUGUST 21: of the Chicago Bears of the Oakland Raiders during a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 21, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Raiders defeated the Bears 32-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

CHICAGO - AUGUST 21: of the Chicago Bears of the Oakland Raiders during a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 21, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Raiders defeated the Bears 32-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Fullback Jacob Hester and tackle Mario Henderson had until Monday to respond to the Chargers’ contract offer.

They didn’t need that long.

Both free agents committed to the team Friday, as Hester agreed to a one-year contract and Henderson signed a one-year deal. Since March 13, San Diego has added 16 unrestricted free agents, only four of which play defense.

Tackle Brandyn Dombrowski, a restricted free agent, and long snapper Mike Windt, an exclusive rights free agent, also signed their one-year tenders Friday, as expected.

All along, Hester said he wanted to stay in San Diego.

A visit with the Seahawks on Wednesday didn’t change that.

The former third-round pick returns to a reserve role on offense behind fullback Le’Ron McClain. He will also play extensively on special teams, where he was a captain last year.

Since 2008, Hester has played 62 of 64 regular-season games with 23 starts. He saw just 348 snaps in 2011, and the Chargers signed McClain last month.

The team considers McClain a capable ball carrier, so the two fullbacks could share a backfield at times.

As for Henderson, his signing was a long time coming.

Early last week, he announced on Facebook he’d be joining the Chargers. The team had to wait until Friday, however, for him to sign his contract.

Now that he’s signed, the comeback attempt can begin.

Listed at 6-feet-7 and 300 pounds, Henderson was out of the NFL last season after reportedly arriving at Raiders camp out of shape. He kept active by playing for the Colorado Ice of the Indoor Football League.

He’ll work to follow tackle Jared Gaither’s example from last season, finding form under offensive line coaches Hal Hunter and Mike Sullivan.

Henderson adds experience to the Chargers’ offensive line.

The 27-year-old has appeared in 44 games and started 28 between 2007 and 2010. He saw his most significant action in 2009, starting 16 games on the left side. In 2010, he drew seven starts, including one at right tackle.